窗台 (chuāng tái) — windowsill | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

The flat ledge along the bottom of a window (windowsill). 窗户 is the window itself — 窗台 is the shelf-like surface attached to it.

noun

windowsill

Measure word · 个

窗台。
Tā bǎ shū fàng zài chuāng tái shàng.
He put the book on the windowsill.
窗台。
chuāng tái Shàng yǒu yì pén huā.
There is a potted flower on the windowsill.
窗台。
Xiǎo māo xǐ huan zài chuāng tái shàng kàn wài miàn.
The little cat likes to look outside from the windowsill.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The 窗 part specifies a window, and 台 gives a flat ledge, so the word names the sill beneath a window.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

穴囱窗

窗 combines 穴 (hole) with 囱 (window), giving the sense of an opening used as a window.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 臺; 台 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 台 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (窗台, 电视台) it is 臺; in others (台灯, 台球) (台风) it is 檯 or 台 or 颱.

The traditional form 臺 is the 喬 + 室 form; earlier versions combined a sound part with 室, and an old reading saw it as a watch tower.

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